In musical terms my formative years began early, with lessons at age six and my first public performance (in a packed hall of 1400) less than two years later. Besides good teachers and devoted parents, the best education proved to be my attendance at concerts of the great artists. They fueled my passion for music, my appreciation for the quality of sound, and my awareness of their stage personalities.

In college I discovered a penchant for collaborative music, which now equals that for solo playing. Musicians love excitement, and among the most thrilling pieces I have performed are: Schumann piano works (music full of poetry), the song cycle Winterreise by Franz Schubert, the concertos and chamber music by Johannes Brahms. Music off-the-beaten-track also spurs my interest, such as works by Voříšek (on Centaur records), Szymanowski, and Lalo (on Signum). I enjoy chamber music with my faculty colleagues Deirdre and Christopher Hutton, with William Preucil (Cleveland Orchestra), and with members of the Greenville Symphony.

Between my MM at Yale and DMA at Illinois, I moved back to Berlin where I built a vibrant professional life: making live- and studio-recordings for German public radio and TV, and performing solo recitals, concertos, chamber music, and vocal music (partnering with solo strings of the Deutsche Oper to form the Berlin Piano Trio, and with soprano Janet Williams of the Staatsoper). Three years of teaching at the State Conservatory "Hanns Eisler" marked the beginning of my university career.

After two years each in Illinois and Michigan, I came to Furman in 2001. The range of experiences I brought with me has been an ideal foundation for teaching in a liberal arts setting. My musical activity is as engaged and varied as it has ever been, contributing every day to my insights as a teacher.

Faculty Courses Taught

Name

Title

Description

MUS-111

Basic Musicianship I

Introduction to music fundamentals, basic principles of voice leading, and harmonic progression through development of complementary skills in analysis, composition, improvisation, music technology, sight-singing, ear training, and at the keyboard.

MUS-111C

Basic Musicianship I: Keyboard

Introduction to music fundamentals, basic principles of voice leading, and harmonic progression through development of complementary skills in analysis, composition, improvisation, music technology, sight-singing, ear training, and at the keyboard.

MUS-112

Basic Musicianship II

Ongoing study of voice leading, diatonic harmony, basic modulation, and small forms through continued development of complementary skills in analysis, composition, improvisation, music technology, sight-singing, ear training, and at the keyboard.

MUS-112C

Bsc Musicianship II: Keyboard

Ongoing study of voice leading, diatonic harmony, basic modulation, and small forms through continued development of complementary skills in analysis, composition, improvisation, music technology, sight-singing, ear training, and at the keyboard.

MUS-211

Basic Musicianship III

Ongoing study of voice leading, chromatic harmony, advanced modulation, and small forms through continued development of complementary skills in analysis, composition, improvisation, music technology, sight-singing, ear training, and at the keyboard.

MUS-211C

Bsc Musicianship III: Keyboar

Ongoing study of voice leading, chromatic harmony, advanced modulation, and small forms through continued development of complementary skills in analysis, composition, improvisation, music technology, sight-singing, ear training, and at the keyboard.

MUS-212

Basic Musicianship IV

Overview of large musical forms and of contemporary compositional techniques through continued development of complementary skills in analysis, composition, improvisation, music technology, sight-singing, ear training, and at the keyboard.

Bsc Musicianship IV: Keyboard

MUS-355

Opera Performance Studies

MUS-421

Histry & Lit of the Instrument

A comprehensive study of the development of a specific instrument and a survey of the music written for it. Topics will include music written originally for the medium as well as modern developments in musical variety

MUS-451

Piano Pedagogy

Designed for pianists to better understand the process of teaching piano. Learning theories, various piano methods, appropriate literature, and laboratory application, developing teaching skills for the piano.

Faculty Tab 3 description

My best teachers were those who helped me discover the greatness in music for myself; and their enthusiasm was my most compelling motivation. Realizing the impact those musicians had on me has shaped my own approach to teaching. Good music (no matter how old or new it is) speaks to us, but we may have to develop a sensitivity for its specific language. To do so never loses its allure--all we need is an open mind, heart, and ear.

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